Dusty's Email -- 05/25/09

The above picture was forwarded by one of the Missionary Mom’s who son is in Dusty’s mission. These pictures are popular and depict a missionary’s ‘family’. So the Elder in the back row on the left side is Elder Rasmussen. He was trained by the Elder to his right, Elder Sander who trained Elder Mora to his right. Elder Mora trained Dusty (bottom row) who trained the Elder to his right (don’t recall the name). That Elder is training the last Elder who just arrived in the Mission from California. 

JH

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Hey

It sounds like there is a lot going on over there, with the whole office reconstruction thing. But I bet that if you guys do most of it, it`ll turn out fine and you won’t have to pay someone to do it.

I hadn’t heard about the whole prisoners walking out of jail thing (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8054021.stm), but the earthquake, yeah. A lot of missionaries felt it, but we didn’t here in Tecamac. Well, some say yes and others no. We didn’t feel it, but missionaries in other parts say that they did. But everything is well here, no reason to worry. 

Yes my companion’s name is Elder Fillerup. I know it sounds like Pickup, but they are different elders. This last week for us was a bit difficult, it has been raining a ton and we just had the hardest time finding people. We were knocking and contacting in the rain and nobody let us in the whole week. It was a bit tough, but we are excited with the week that is coming and are ready to put the last week behind us and see it as a trial. I really think this last week was the one of the most difficult weeks that I`ve had, between working our butts off and not finding anyone to teach.

We had to postpone the baptism of a couple so they could get married. Once they got married the wife got some nervous and tried to get out of the baptism. We weren’t sure that she was going to get baptized until she was in the water. We were really stressing out about it. The husband was fine, but the wife concerned us. She had some more questions that we talked with her about, and then she got excited again. She did it and is happy that she did. I’ll send the picture another time. But the guy has hair almost down to his waist, he has such long hair! But before his confirmation on Sunday he cut it off, and I didn’t even recognize him when he showed up. He`s going be such an awesome convert and he is so excited to get the priesthood, which we hope will be this week.

It was just a stressful week that really tried our patience and desires as missionaries. But we got through it, we have a family of three that should get baptized this week. They are really awesome. From the moment that we found them, they`ve fed us and given food to take to the house, even though it’s been like sardines and tuna, still it’s the thought that counts. hahahaha. But the work is progressing here in Mexico.

Dad, I really enjoyed the talk that President Utchdorf (http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-20,00.html) also. It’s one of my favorites. The story of Nehamiah is just so awesome! I am doing a great work and cannot come down! We haven’t got the conference edition of the Ensign yet, so I`m still  waiting to read it, as with the other talks.

I don’t know if y’all remember but we are reading the Book of Mormon as a mission, searching for certain things and marking them. I`ve learned so much from words even though I`ve read them before. It’s amazing.

This last week we had our zone conference, and we took the picture of the mission. It was so good to see some of the Elders that I haven’t seen since the MTC. I should be getting the picture soon.

Well, I have to run but I hope that all is well and that everyone is doing fine.

Stay humble and remember the Lord in everything.

Love

Elder Howard